L-cysteine supplements: Side effects

Before starting the intake of the L-cysteine supplements one should be aware of its possible side effects also. Improper use of L-cysteine can definitely cause side effects. Like many other supplements even this has its own toxicity levels.

Generally Recognized as Safe status, overdose of L-cysteine supplements can result in adverse side effects. If the toxicity level of this supplement is reached, in this condition body can react unexpectedly. This is also known as URL or upper tolerable levels. This will be there for every supplement available.

Recommended dose for L-cysteine supplement is 250-1500mg per day. This is a safe range for this supplement. If one follows this level there will not be any side effects. 7g is the upper tolerable limit for L-cysteine. So if an individual’s intake is close to this dose or more than this, then he will surely experience adverse effects of L-cysteine. This type of overdose conditions may need immediate medical attention. High dose of this supplement is really harmful and never recommended.

Like other supplements, this can also cause allergic reactions. The reason behind his is a hormone known as homo-cysteine. When there is toxin in the body, and at the same time if the individual takes L-cysteine supplement, there is chance that homo-cysteine is released. So this is a byproduct. So this can cause allergic conditions like breathing difficulties, swelling in the face, heart arrhythmia, running nose, fever, drowsiness, and headache. Any of these reactions should be brought to the medical practitioner’s attention.

Many of the supplements are not recommended by the women when she is pregnant. But fortunately L-cysteine is stated as a safe drug for pregnant women. There are no reports which state the side effects of L-cysteine supplements on pregnant women. But as much as possible it should be avoided even by pregnant women except the intake is really necessary. Before starting the dose women should consult physician either she is pregnant or breast feeding.

Even in normal dose there are possibilities of allergic reactions. Common side effects include gastric, irritability and gastrointestinal issues. These types of issues can be handled by increasing the water intake. Some may even experience constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and body aches. These can also be treated by drinking lots and lot of water.

There is a possibility that L-cysteine supplements may react with other medicines taken along with them. It can cause severe interactions with few medicines. This supplement is usually stacked with nitroglycerin for heart patients. These both can be helpful in reducing heart pain. Since L-cysteine has the ability to reduce inflammation in most of the cases this is a good stack to be followed.

But in some cases L-cysteine can decrease or sometimes can increase the affects of nitroglycerin. So when following this stack patient should be extra careful.

Other drugs with them L-cysteine is possibly react are isosorbide, charcoal, ACE inhibitors, and cyclophosphamide. So these stacks should be followed with extra caution. And adding new supplements to the existing stack is also not recommended because some interactions are unexpected. If one follows prescribed dose, L-cysteine there is very less chance of severe side effects.